Subscribe to this blog

Follow by Email

Seoul Experiences a la Airbnb #2: Meet Traditional Korean Musicians

EXPERIENCE #2: MUSIC - Meet a Traditional Korean Musician I'm a musician so of course I am interested in learning whatever I can about any kind of music. When in Korea why not learn about traditional Korean music and instruments? The description of this experience intrigued me so I signed up. In this experience you will meet a variety of musicians who major in Korean music (different musicians per week). We will meet in their actual practice room. I'm going to ask various questions of a special host, who majors in Korean music. You will have the opportunity to listen to the instruments in the real practice room rather than on the stage. I'm proud of the sound that we are going to deliver to you with natural sound in the practice room rather than on the stage. You will have the opportunity to talk to a Korean musician, as well as to learn and touch the instrument.

Our host, Jaehoon, is 27 years old. He's studying traditional Korean music and plays traditional Korean stringed instruments that include the Ajaeng and the Haegeum. He is also knowledgeable about traditional drumming. The guest musician, Yoo-Yongjae, also age 27, performed on the Daegeum, the traditional bamboo flute. Ms. Park Jihyoen helps to manage the event and take memorable photos.

Both students accompanied each other on the Janggo, the drum that is shaped like an hourglass. Yes, it's a lot to take in for one inspirational night. I admit that I have had to double check the names of the instruments with Jaehoon to be sure I got it right!

The evening actually began with a bit of food tasting. I expected sweets but we were actually treated to a few different types of real food and an explanation of each item. I was happy to sample the rice cake (yum) and the rolled seaweed stuffed with rice noodles (yum). There was also fried shrimp, squid and rice sushi-looking rolls (they had some pork in them) which I left for the other guests. I forgot to taste the fried sweet potato. I bet it was good too. We also were treated to a special tea called "Omija Tea". (오미자차). It consists of five different tastes: Bitter, Salty, Sweet, Spicy, and Sour. I found it interesting that each person actually experienced a different taste when drinking it. To me it seemed sweet. Another found it bitter. I'll have to get some of that tea!

Back to the music. Jaehoon was well prepared for the presentation and concert. He even prepared questions to ask the guest student! Because of the nature of these intimate experiences we were invited to ask questions too. I really enjoy the intimate setting of these concerts. One can truly interact with each presenter in a very natural manner. We learn a lot more this way.

First we learned about four different rhythms, or rhythm patterns, that the instrumentalist improvises on. Jaehoon reminded me what they were:

Sanjo usually uses four kind of rhythm pattern. The rhythm name I showed you that day, First it start 'jinyang' and then it goes 'jongmori', 'jongjongmori' and 'jajinmori'. There are also Sanjo that use other rhythm patterns than these four.

Jaehoon gave us a demonstration of how that works with the Ajaeng, his major instrument. The Ajaeng produces a lovely sound very similar to the cello. It is also a bowed instrument; played with a bow that is made of wood and horsehair. The strings are made of twisted silk which apparently is quite available in Korea.

You will notice additional stringed instruments in the photo above. Each one is slightly different in the size, pitch and number of strings. Each one makes a beautiful sound.

I don't want to give away too much about the event. If you get to Seoul you should be sure to sign up for this experience. I will, however, share that Yoo-Yongjae played beautifully on the Daegeum as a solo and together with Jaehoon.

We all got the chance to try out a flute. We look like we're having a pretty good jam session there!

We also got to look the part!

Thank you Jaehoon and friends for a really fun and informative evening!

Get link

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Other Apps

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This is the headline of an article written about my good friend, Yona Yacobovitz. She is the founder of Tofa'ah, Israel's first all-woman rock band that was established in 1981. I am one of the founding members. Clearly our friendship goes pretty far back.

Yona's unique vision gave birth to alternative avenues of artistic quest and expression when there were none for observant Jewish women in Israel. The impact of the band's mere existence was huge and changed the lives of many.

As an extension of the band we also formed a non-profit organization that focused on and still gives support to women artists in Israel. Tof Miriam: Tof Miriam is dedicated to the encouragement and support of Jewish women artists. We seek to gain respect and recognition for Jewish women in the arts and to develop new forums for the celebration of women's voices and women's experience. We serve to provide cultural excha…

WHAT IS THE HEALING LIGHT PROJECT? The Healing Light Project is a project with its roots beginning in 2015. I received a simple Facebook request from a Zimbabwean musician living in South Africa. His reason for writing? To raise awareness through music about his love for Africa. Yes, he says, Africa IS a place where there is much poverty, crime, disease and racism. His song, PEACE, a song we recorded as part of our first collaboration, sings about this. Yet, with all that Africa is a place where this one man, together with eleven additional vocalists, is trying to let people know about another Africa - the Africa filled with loving friends and family - regular people who are trying to live regular lives just like most people in the world.
This one man, Mr. Future Moyo, sent letters to many musicians, most of whom either ignored his outreach or simply wished him well. Then it…

There is something beautiful happening here in South Korea, and around the world. It's one of the "hidden gems" that can only be found because someone told you about it.

I was fortunate to have met Yohan Song, a South Korean Fingerstyle Guitarist who actually lives in Pretoria, South Africa. Wait. What?

Before I tell you how I met Yohan let me fill you in about what Fingerstyle Guitar is all about. Let's just go to Wikipedia for some text:

Fingerstyle guitar is the technique of playing the guitar by plucking the strings directly with the fingertips, fingernails, or picks attached to fingers, as opposed to flatpicking (plucking individual notes with a single plectrum, commonly called a "pick").

Because individual digits play notes on the guitar rather than the hand working as a single unit (which is the case when a guitarist is holding a single pick), a guitarist playing fingerstyle can perform several musical elements simultaneously. One defin…

Subscribe/Follow by Email. Let's Just Go together!

Hey! Thank you for visiting me here. I am Rahel (Rah-ckhel, as in Bach). I am a musician, singer-songwriter, Certified Clinical Therapeutic, educator, and writer. Yup and also a mom of two incredibly amazing adult kids.
Music has been in my life for pretty much as long as I can remember. I consider myself a "Folk" musician - I write songs, compose tunes, play the guitar and sing.
It seems, however, as I've been told by many, that I am NOT a folk musician. Apparently I somehow don't fit the mold.
"WHAT? So then how do I classify myself and my music?"
"You're unique, " I've been told. "You have your own style and your songs are in a league of their own."
"Oh dear. Well, there is no category called 'Unique'. Eclectic maybe? Contemporary? Ambient? World?"
"Yes, those and more. All of them. Versatile. You're music is beautiful. I love your music. It's just, well, unique Like you!"
Welcome to my unique world. If I might offer one small piece of advice? Please don't postpone JOY!
Welcome to my blog, "The Eccentric Musician".